Berkeley college in California to give illegals free scholarships

An angry response was swift to come after a top U.S. college has announced that it will provide illegal immigrants with free college scholarships, according to press reports.

University of California Berkeley, announced Tuesday, that a private foundation has donated $1 million to fund free scholarships for illegal immigrants.

The free scholarships will go to about 200 students, who are not eligible for federal grants, government-backed loans or work-study positions, the school said.

The Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund, a private family foundation, provided the scholarships. It is the largest donation of scholarships for illegal immigrants ever given to a U.S. university, the foundation said.

"These students are motivated, hardworking and inspiring. They are an asset to our state and our country," the fund's president, Ira Hirschfield, said in a statement. "Now that it is legal in California, we encourage other foundations and private donors to consider funding to help illegal students to reach their potential."